Adelaide’s Matthew Glaetzer and Sydney’s Kaarle McCulloch surged to win the keirin national title on a dramatic final day of action at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
TRACK CYCLING: Adelaide’s Matthew Glaetzer and Sydney’s Kaarle McCulloch surged to win the keirin national title on a dramatic final day of action at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.
Fueled by a disappointing early exit in the men’s sprint competition, Glaetzer tore up the boards with a clinical display of technique and power to take his second keirin crown and first in five years. McCulloch sealed her first keirin national title in seven years with victory in a dramatic final which saw Olympian and three-time national champion Steph Morton crash heavily with one lap to go.
In the bunch races, it was a pure master-class of points racing from West Australian Cameron Meyer as his glittering return to the track continued with his second gold of the week, whileTasmania’s Amy Cure sealed the Champion of Champions Award claiming her second gold of the week, this time in the women’s scratch race.
Queensland’s Lara Tucker, who hails from cycling legend Anna Meares’ hometown of Rockhampton, launched herself into nationals folklore with a four-gold medal haul and the Champion of Champions award in the under 19 category. >>> Tucker's daughter create memories.
Overall, the Championships is being acclaimed as one of the most successful seen since the event last visited Brisbane more than 25 year ago, with near capacity crowds flocking to the state of the art venue.
Furthermore, in great signs for Australian cycling just five weeks out of the 2017 World Championships and 13 months from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the event welcomed returning stars, hailed new champions while unearthing a new crop of rising young talent.
Men's Keirin
A storming ride by 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Champion Matthew Glaetzer saw him claim a second keirin national title and erase the disappointment of an early exit in the sprint competition.
"After the sprint disappointment I was a man on a mission today," said Glaetzer, with the win sealing his tenth career national title.
"I was thinking my way through each race, made sure I made it into the final because I know how much repechage can burn your legs, so yeah stoked with that win.”
Glaetzer, in his trademark aero position, took control of the race from the front leading in to the final lap with recently crowned sprint gold medallist Pat Constable (SA).
Although Glaetzer was forced to start his sprint early, his pace was simply too much for the rest of the field as roared over the line for the win.
Women's Keirin
In a dramatic final Kaarle McCulloch (NSW) reclaimed the women's keirin title with an explosive turn of speed, with three-time winner Stephanie Morton (SA) crashing out of contention with just over a lap to go.
"It feels so good, haven't had one of these (jerseys) for a few years, to have the green and gold feels almost as good as those rainbows," said an elated McCulloch. The win clinched McCulloch’s twelfth career national crown and third keirin national title. It was also her third medal of week after silver in the team sprint and bronze in the sprint.
"I have had an up and down week, I was little disappointed with the sprint yesterday, I didn't think I executed that very well.
"So I was on a mission to come out well today and I think I did that very well," she added.
"When Steph went down, I thought I hit her head and I didn't know what to do, so I just went for it, dug deep and I got over. Steph is my teammate, you don't want to see anyone crash.”
A shaken Morton was taken to hospital for scans after hitting her head on the track, however was given the all clear of any breaks or major injury.
Men's Points Race
Three time points race world champion Cameron Meyer (WA) produced a masterpiece to claim his second gold of the 2017 Championships on his return after a seven year absence.
Meyer, one of the most experienced points race riders in the world, delighted this crowd in a lap taking fest in the final event, lapping the field no less than four times on his way to gold.
"Very tired. That's four days of hard racing, and to cap it off with 160 lap points race is never easy. But it's the one I wanted to finish with, and I got it. I've never been Australian points race champ, so I’m really happy," Meyer said.
"It was exciting being out there, and I'm sure there's going to be some major highlights coming up on this track with the Commonwealth Games, and maybe some more National Championships. I'm looking forward to returning, and yeah I love it here."
Women's Scratch Race
Amy Cure (TAS) stormed to the line to claim her first scratch national title, sealing her national dominance in the bunch races. Cure claimed the points race on Saturday, in addition her maiden omnium crown last December.
The dual world champion was well positioned throughout the race before unleashing her trademark finishing speed to hold off a fast finishing Kristina Clonan (Queensland) with teammate Georgia Baker (TAS) completing the podium.
"Really excited, happy I could bring home two gold, wasn't sure how I would go leading into this, but I have surprised myself, it has been great," Cure said who only arrived back in Australia on Wednesday from the Los Angeles Track World Cup.
"Such an amazing track, it so fast out there, just great to come here and grab two gold medals and a silver medals."
Complete Points/Scratch reports
Cycling Australia
